Baby walker



` Jan.19,1943. Y W., H RHNHOLZ l 2,308,626

BABY-WALKERS l Filed May 22, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6 45 Aliorney` Jan. 19, 1943.

BABY-WALKERS Filed May '22, 1939 v 2 sheets-sheet '2 Patented Jan. 19, 1943 Aunirse STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to baby-walkers of that class embodying a chair or seat in which a child is retained and held in upright position while walkingand the chair or seat is supported for movement in a path which is restricted to a circle by means of a floor anchor. y

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a baby-walker of the character above described which embodies a oor anchor that possesses suiiicient weight to provide a fixed axis about which the chair or seat is movable, and by reason of its weight eliminating the necessity of securing the anchor to a oor or other support in order to confine the movement of the chair or seat to a circular path.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a baby-walker which, by detachment of the iloor anchor and the addition of a foot support and propelling frame, is convertible into a go-cart.

A further purpose of my invention is the provision of a baby-walker or go-cart which is characterized by its structural simplicity and low cost .of manufacture, and the ready detachability of its parts to permit collapsing thereof to the end of facilitating packing and shipment.

I will describe various forms of baby-walkers embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a View showing in side elevation one form of baby-,walker embodying my invention, wherein the device is supplied with a foot platform and propelling frame for conversion into a go-cart, the door anchor and attaching arms being shown in dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken onA the line 2-2 of Fig. l and showing the floor anchor attached to the baby-walker but with the propelling frame and foot support in dash lines.

Fig. 22L is a plan view on a reduced scale, showing the baby-walker of Fig. 1 diagrammatically.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and looking in the-direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 'l-l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing `another form of convertiblebaby-walker embodying my invention.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged view showing in side elevation and partly in section a floor anchor attaching means for a baby-walker having spoked wheels.

Fig. 1l. is a detail view, on a reduced scale, showing the fabric blank from which the seat and back of the baby-walker shown in Figs. 1 and 9 are formed.

My invention in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a main frame M which, in the present instance, is of elliptical form and preferably constructed of metal to give the requisite rigidity thereto. The frame M is adapted to be supported in elevated position by means of front legsLgL and rear legs L', L. These legs in each instance are formed of spring steel, in order to give resiliency thereto and thus form a spring support for the frame M. 'Each leg L or L is detachably secured to the frame M by means of a bracket I6 which cooperates with the frame to provide a socket in which the upper end of the leg is received. From this upper end the leg is bent outwardly and downwardly to locate its lower end surliciently forward or rearward of the frame M to lend a substantial support to the frame and eliminate tipping thereof. In the instance ofthe forward legs L, L, the lower ends are coiled as at I1 and through these coils, pins I8 extend and carry casters I9. In the instance of the rear legs L', L', they are bent upon themselves to form sleeves 20 for the reception of an axle 2f on the ends of which are disk wheels 22.

' On the interior of the frame M are two front brackets 23 and two rear brackets 24, 'these brackets cooperating with the frame to form sockets for detachable reception of the extremities of frames for securing a seat frame in fixed position within the main frame. The seat frame is designated at F and is constructed from a singular length of relatively heavy wire bent in the form of a U and twisted at its corners and ends to form eyes 25, 25 and 2B, 26. These eyes are located on the seat frame so that when the latter is placed within the main frame as shown in Fig. 2, the eyes 25 will be in registration with the sockets formed by the brackets 2'3, while the eyes 26 will be in registration with the sock-ets formed by the brackets 24.

The seat frame F is secured in position within the fra-Ine M by the employment of a back frame B and a front frame C. The front frame C is of U form with its free ends of such diameter as to be extendable through the eyes 25 and into the bracket sockets 23.y The back frame B is likewise of U form and its extremities are extendable through the eyes 26 and into the bracket sockets 24. Thus it will be seen that, When the frames B and C are applied as described, not only is the seat frame secured Within the main frame, but the back and front frames are secured in vertical position.

The front frame C has a horizontal portion 21 which constitutes a grip for the baby by which he may hold himself within the baby-Walker or gocart as the case may be. The extremities of the frame C are also utilized to hold a rectangular tray frame T on the seat frame F, the tray frame being formed with eyes 28 through which the ends of the frame C extend as clearly illustrated. The tray frame is spanned by a sheet 29 of suitable fabric to form a tray in which toys or other articles may be held.

In the formation of a combined seat and back for the baby-walker, I provide a sheet of fabric of the form shown in Fig. 11. This sheet is so shaped that when applied to the seat frame F in the manner illustrated in Fig, 2, it forms a concave seat 30 and a forwardly and upwardly extending strap 3l of such width that upon opposite sides therewith leg openings are provided. It will be understood that the strap and the seat portion of the fabric are secured to the seat frame by the provision of suitable fasteners or stitching, as desired.

At the rear' portion of the seat 30, the fabric sheet is extended upwardly and downwardly about the back frame B, so as to span the latter and form a back 32 for the seat 39. It Will be noted that the fabric sheet is recessed at two of its edges as indicated at 33 for the purpose of exposing brackets 34 secured on the back frame B and in which the ends of a propelling or pushing frame P are mounted. This frame is attached as described only when the device is used as a go-cart, as will be understood.

Also, when the device is used as a go-cart, a foot support is attached to the legs L and L. As shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 and in dash lines in Fig. 2, this foot support comprises a frame consisting of two rods 35 to which is secured a platform 36 upon which the feet of the baby occupying the seat 39 are adapted to be supported. The

ends of the rods 35 are bent so as to extend into brackets 31 secured to th'e legs L and L' and by which the rods and platform are detachably supported in proper position beneath the seat.

Two of these brackets 31 are also utilized to attach the bent ends 38 of two arms 39 and 39a. These arms may be formed from a single rod bent in the form of a V so that they are disposed in convergent relation to each other. At the point of convergence, th'e arms are provided with a tongue 49 which is extendable into a socket 4| of a floor anchor 42 so as to permit rotation of the tongue with respect to the anchor. The arms may be formed of spring steel and their divergence may be such that in order to insert the ends 38 into the brackets 31 it is necessary to so contract the arms that the arms are under tension and thus tend to expand to hold the ends within the brackets and also provide a rigid frame between the vehicle and the floor anchor.

As best shown in Fig. 2a, the arm 39 is so connected to the respective leg L that it is both parallel to the axle 2l and adjacent thereto so that as connected to the floor anchor 42 the arm 39 will permit the vehicle to move in a circular path the axis of which is the floor anchor, even though the rear Wheels 22 are not pivoted, it being understood that the casters i9 allow the vehicle to be guided in this circular path.

As sh'own in Fig. 3, the anchor is of disk form and hollow to provide an interior cavity 43, entrance to which may be had through a screw plug 44 for introducing a quantity of sand 45 or other granular material to lend the necessary weight to the anchor. To` the bottom of the anchor is secured a sheet 4B of rubber or other suitable material to prevent slipping of the anchor of any surface upon which it is placed.

In practice, the anchor 42 is placed upon the floor and when connected to the legs of the babywalker through the arms 39, 39aL provides a fixed point about which the baby-walker is adapted to be moved, so that the vehicle can only move in a circular path. With a child occupying the seat 30 and his legs extended beneath the seat so that his feet can have engagement with the oor, he is permitted a free walking movement while retained within the seat to propel the vehicle in a circle. It will be understood that when using the vehicle as a baby-walker, the propelling frame P as well as the foot support 36 are removed and re-applied only when the vehicle is converted into a go-cart. When used as a go-cart the anchor 42 together with the arms 39 are disconnected from the legs to allow th'e application of the rods 35 of the foot support.

An important feature of my invention is the provision of the anchor 42 which, by reason of its weight and non-skidding feature, causes it to effectively function as a fixed pivot about which the vehicle is adapted to move, and all without the necessity of securing the anchor to the floor or other support as has been the previous practice. Also, elimination of fastening means for the anchor permits of it being readily moved from place to place on a floor to define a different point of rotation for the baby-walker.

The ready detachability of the seat frame, back and front frames, arms 38, platform supporting rods 35 and the legs L and L from the main frame M, permit of the ready disassembling or collapsing of the vehicle as a whole to facilitate packing and shipment, and also the easy conversion of the baby-Walker into a go-cart or vice versa.

Referring now to Fig. 9, I have here shown another form of baby-walker and go-cart wherein the main frame of the vehicle comprises solid side members 41, preferably formed of wood, and held in spaced parallel relationship by a front frame 48 and a rear frame 49, the two frames being in the form of rods having inwardly bent ends 59 which extend into brackets 5l secured to the inner sides of the members 41. The members 41 are supported on casters 52 at the ends thereof, and between the members 41 is secured a seat frame 53 similar in construction to the seat frame F and having suspended therefrom a fabric seat 54. This seat 54 is of the same construction as the seat 30 and is therefore formed integral with a back 55 supported cn the back frame 56. The frame 56 is provided with brackets 51 in which a propelling frame 58 is detachably received. The back frame 5B carries a safety belt 59 connected to the frame by a strap 60, and it will be understood that this belt is adapted to be strapped around the body of a child to confine the child within the vehicle.

To cause the vehicle to function as a babywalker that can be moved in a circular path, a pair of arms 6| having bent extensions tla are pivotally connected to the inner side of one of the members 41 by means of brackets 418, so that the arms may be extended to occupy converging positions and their free ends, which are formed with tongues 62, may be extended into the pocket 63 of a weighted floor anchor 64. This anchor 64 is of substantially the same construction as the anchor 42, and the tongues 62 are rotatable in the pocket 63 to allow the vehicle to rotate about the anchor as a iixed axis. The arms 6| are readily detachable from the anchor, and once detached can be folded beneath the respective side member 41, as indicated in dash lines in Fig. 9.

Referring now to Fig. 10, I have here shown a simplified and practical means of connecting the baby-walker to a floor anchor through the use of a single arm. In this embodiment of my invention, it is necessary to substitute spoked wheels for the disk Wheels 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of permitting attachment of the single arm to either wheel.

As shown in Fig. 10, a spoked Wheel B5 has secured to the spokes thereof for rotation therewith, by a connector which comprises a rod 66 to the ends of which are secured spring clips 61 adapted to embrace certain of the spokes for securing the connector to the Wheel. Ihe rod 65 is provided With a central extension 68 having a head 69 which is rotatable in a socket 10, the latter being threaded on a pipe 1l to conne the head against displacement. A rod 12 is secured to the other end of the pipe 1| and this rod is bent to form a tongue 13 which extends into a pocket 14 of a Iioor anchor .15. This oor anchor e Wheel can rotate on the arm While at the same time, the arm rotates about the anchor so that the baby-walker as a Whole can be moved in a circular path about the anchor as a center.

Although I have here shown and described various forms of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modications may be made herein Without departing from the spirit of my invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims,

I claim:

1. A floor anchor for baby-Walkers, comprising a Weighted body having a socket in its top in which the arm of a baby-Walker is adapted to rotate, and a cavity adapted for the reception of a granular weight giving material.

2. A floor anchor for baby-Walkers, comprising a weighted body having a socket in its top in which the arm of a baby-Walker is adaptedto rotate, and a cavity adapted for the reception o1 a granular weight giving material; and a member on the bottom of said body for holding the body against slipping on a oor.

3. A oor anchor for a baby Walker comprising a Weighted body having a plate in the top thereof, said plate having a small opening therein and having an open space under the plate longer across in horizontal diameter than the Width of the opening.

4. A floor anchor for a baby Walker comprising a weighted body having a plate in the top thereof, said plate having a small opening therein and having an open space under the plate longer across in horizontal diameter than the Width of the opening, and a member on the bottom of said body for holding the body against slipping on a oor.

5. A baby Walker comprising a seat-carrying frame having Wheels thereundner and a oor anchor, a means connecting said frame and anchor comprising divergent arms, the free ends of which are engaged with the frame and horizontal tongue means at the other ends of the arms tted to rotate in the iloor anchor, said rloor anchor being undercut to form a circular disc-shaped opening in which the tongue means can rotate.

6. A vehicle of the character described, comprising a Wheeled frame provided with a seat, links connected to one side of said frame, one of said links being connected with the frame near the forward wheel and the other of said links being connected to the frame near the rear Wheel, each of said links having at the outer end a downturned and out-turned end, a iioor anchor of such Weight as to provide a fixed axis of rotation for the wheeled frame and said links, said iioor anchor having a central opening in which the ends of said links can engage and around and in which they can rotate.

WILLIAM H. REINHOLZ. 

